Why Two Churches in One Small Town? |
(see picture credit below) |
This is a question many people have.
If you grew up on the Eastern Shore, it is probably not a surprise for you to find 2 Methodist Churches in a small town, but you may not know why. Here is a quick summary as it pertains to Asbury & Mt. Vernon.
In its early years, the Methodist movement divided into many different denominations due to theological and social differences. Two separate churches were started in Sharptown by two of these "Methodist" denominations.
In 1939 the Methodist Episcopal Church (Asbury) and Methodist Protestant Church (Mt. Vernon) joined to form The Methodist Church. It was at this time that Asbury and Mt. Vernon became sister churches in the same denomination. However, each church maintained its connection as "charges" with other churches near Sharptown and both "charges" supported their own pastor, totally independent of each other.
In 1968 The Methodist Church merged with The Evangelical United Brethren Church to form The United Methodist Church. Asbury and Mt. Vernon again maintained their individual identities and continued their separate ministries under different pastors while sharing in some cooperative ministries such as Vacation Bible School. Both churches, with the support of the other churches on their respective charges, were able to support their own pastor.
As we moved into the 21st century, the membership of both churches faced a steady decline due to a number of reasons. Death of members, an overall decline in the number of people attending church, theological differences, and people's willingness to drive to a church outside the community are a few of the reasons that attendance declined. Slowly but surely, it became evident that neither church could continue in this pattern.
In the fall of 2017 God moved in an amazing way and it was agreed that Asbury and Mt. Vernon would come together as a "charge." This meant they would retain their separate identities and properties, while sharing a pastor. On July 1, 2018, Rev. David Bennett (a Sharptown native) was appointed as the first pastor of the newly formed Sharptown: Asbury - Mt. Vernon Charge.
Generally, the pastor of a charge will preach at each church on the charge every Sunday. However, it was decided to alternate months between the two churches and enable everyone to worship together. This has been such a blessing! It was also immediately evident that we could do more effective ministry together, so we have partnered in all of our ministry and outreach.
In April of 2023, both Asbury and Mt. Vernon voted to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. Then, after a time of prayer and discernment, both congregations voted to join the Global Methodist Church, which became official on November 1, 2023.
So what is next for Asbury & Mt. Vernon? Will God continue to use us in our current configuration for effective ministry? Or will God lead us to some new arrangement in the future? We will remain open but leave the future up to God.
Until then... we will continue to live together as 2 small churches serving 1 Eastern Shore town!
Note: The aerial photo of Sharptown is owned by Billy Adkins. We thank him for allowing us to use it.
If you grew up on the Eastern Shore, it is probably not a surprise for you to find 2 Methodist Churches in a small town, but you may not know why. Here is a quick summary as it pertains to Asbury & Mt. Vernon.
In its early years, the Methodist movement divided into many different denominations due to theological and social differences. Two separate churches were started in Sharptown by two of these "Methodist" denominations.
- Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church on Main Street
- Mt. Vernon Methodist Protestant Church (formerly Harmony MP Church) on Church Street
In 1939 the Methodist Episcopal Church (Asbury) and Methodist Protestant Church (Mt. Vernon) joined to form The Methodist Church. It was at this time that Asbury and Mt. Vernon became sister churches in the same denomination. However, each church maintained its connection as "charges" with other churches near Sharptown and both "charges" supported their own pastor, totally independent of each other.
In 1968 The Methodist Church merged with The Evangelical United Brethren Church to form The United Methodist Church. Asbury and Mt. Vernon again maintained their individual identities and continued their separate ministries under different pastors while sharing in some cooperative ministries such as Vacation Bible School. Both churches, with the support of the other churches on their respective charges, were able to support their own pastor.
As we moved into the 21st century, the membership of both churches faced a steady decline due to a number of reasons. Death of members, an overall decline in the number of people attending church, theological differences, and people's willingness to drive to a church outside the community are a few of the reasons that attendance declined. Slowly but surely, it became evident that neither church could continue in this pattern.
In the fall of 2017 God moved in an amazing way and it was agreed that Asbury and Mt. Vernon would come together as a "charge." This meant they would retain their separate identities and properties, while sharing a pastor. On July 1, 2018, Rev. David Bennett (a Sharptown native) was appointed as the first pastor of the newly formed Sharptown: Asbury - Mt. Vernon Charge.
Generally, the pastor of a charge will preach at each church on the charge every Sunday. However, it was decided to alternate months between the two churches and enable everyone to worship together. This has been such a blessing! It was also immediately evident that we could do more effective ministry together, so we have partnered in all of our ministry and outreach.
In April of 2023, both Asbury and Mt. Vernon voted to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church. Then, after a time of prayer and discernment, both congregations voted to join the Global Methodist Church, which became official on November 1, 2023.
So what is next for Asbury & Mt. Vernon? Will God continue to use us in our current configuration for effective ministry? Or will God lead us to some new arrangement in the future? We will remain open but leave the future up to God.
Until then... we will continue to live together as 2 small churches serving 1 Eastern Shore town!
Note: The aerial photo of Sharptown is owned by Billy Adkins. We thank him for allowing us to use it.